Detroit Pistons Notes And Quotes 6-13-11

–Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer are among the people being considered as the next coach of the Detroit Pistons, ESPN.com reported, citing league sources.

Thomas isn’t the leading candidate, according to the sources, but is on Detroit’s short list with Laimbeer, Mike Woodson and Kelvin Sampson.

Thomas, currently the head coach at Florida International University, made news over the weekend when the Knicks announced that Donnie Walsh wouldn’t return as the team’s president and general manager. Thomas is close with Knicks owner James Dolan, leading to speculation that Thomas could regain control of the Knicks.

–Anyone hoping to see the Pistons move to the city of Detroit should not hold their breath. New owner Tom Gores is happy with the team’s current arena, The Palace of Auburn Hills, even though it is more than 20 years old. He has no plans to move the team to the city, as some have suggested, or build a new arena.

“You don’t have to build a stadium to connect with the city,” he said. “Our first order of business is winning. The fact is we have a great house here.”

Gores said he would look into better transportation to allow city residents to attend games in suburban Auburn Hills, which is a 30-minute drive from Detroit.

–Several guards expected to be drafted in the second round worked out at the Pistons’ practice facility in late May. Michigan State’s Kalin Lucas, UCLA’s Malcolm Lee, Cleveland State’s Norris Cole and Texas’ Cory Joseph were among seven players who worked out. The Pistons could be in the market for a backup point guard with Rodney Stuckey entering the market as a restricted free agent and last year’s second-rounder, Terrico White, missing all of last season with a mysterious foot injury.

QUOTE TO NOTE
“I need to deliver on the standards of your passion. I promise I will lose sleep to deliver to that standard.” — New owner Tom Gores on his promise to the fans to make the team a winner again.